Chapter 1: Admissions, Enrollment and Progress

Admission Procedures
Entrance Requirements
Graduate Pathway Program
Admission Categories
Registration and Enrollment
Annual Progress Reviews
Academic Accommodation and Leave for Pregnant and Parenting Graduate Students
Graduate Assistants
Graduate Study by Seniors and Undergraduate Special Students
Graduate Work by Faculty and Staff

A. Admission Procedures

Graduate programs have the responsibility of reviewing credentials from prospective graduate students and making recommendations on admission. Official application, instructions and deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Correspondence regarding admission to the Graduate School should be addressed to the appropriate graduate program, which will provide information on program admission requirements, application deadlines, and any required supplementary forms.

As part of their Graduate School application, applicants must submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Failure to disclose a complete academic history may result in denial of admission, revocation of admission and assistantship offers, and/or suspension or dismissal after admission. If admitted to the Graduate School, the applicant must submit official transcripts showing the conferral of all previous degrees. All transcripts become part of the applicant’s official file and are not returned.

If the graduate faculty of a graduate program recommends admission, the Graduate School completes the final review and determines admission status. If the graduate program decides against admission, it notifies the applicant. Admission to graduate study does not imply admission to candidacy for an advanced degree. For a doctoral degree, such candidacy is confirmed only upon successful completion of preliminary examinations.

An individual who either intentionally withholds pertinent information or provides fraudulent information on an application for admission or readmission may be subject to denial of admission, disenrollment, or immediate dismissal from the university. Such decisions will be made by the Dean of the Graduate School after a complete review and consultation with the appropriate academic unit. Prior to reaching a decision, the Dean of the Graduate School will provide the individual with written notice of the proposed action. The individual may request a conference with the Dean, to be held within seven (7) business days of the written notice, during which the individual may provide a response or any other information for the Dean’s consideration.

When an applicant is required to prepare a personal statement or writing sample as part of the admissions process, the applicant must be the author of the statement or sample in question.  An applicant who submits a personal statement or writing sample that is not their original work, either because it was written by someone else or a software program utilizing artificial intelligence, the applicant will be deemed to have provided fraudulent information and may be denied admission or readmission on that basis.

B. Entrance Requirements

An applicant to the Graduate School at Kansas State University must have a bachelor's degree substantially the same as the ones granted by Kansas State University. That is, it must represent a broad range of courses in the basic academic disciplines. Applicants whose degrees do not meet these standards may be denied admission to graduate degree programs at Kansas State University. Admission is denied to applicants holding bachelor's degrees with a significant amount of credit for work that was not supervised by a faculty member of an accredited college or university or evaluated in units that identify the academic content. A limited amount of credit for experience, when awarded as an acceptable part of a bachelor's degree for internships, fieldwork, or the like, is not a cause for denial but must be clearly identified as graded work.

All students admitted to the Graduate School must meet the following requirements:

B1. Graduates from colleges and universities in the United States

1. A bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by a regional or national institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Undergraduate preparation in the proposed major field equivalent to that acquired by a graduate of Kansas State University, or evidence of an appropriate background for undertaking an advanced degree program, and
3. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale or GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework. This GPA is based only on courses graded on a multi-level scale, usually A, B, C, D, F.

See section 1-C: Admission Categories.

B2. Graduates of foreign colleges and universities

All international students admitted to the Graduate School must demonstrate the same level of achievement as U.S. students. That is, they must hold a degree from an established institution comparable to a college or university in the United States, have an outstanding undergraduate record, have the demonstrated ability to do graduate work, and provide evidence of language proficiency sufficient for the pursuit of a graduate degree. Admission may be denied to students from technical schools, which may provide excellent training in special areas, but do not offer degrees equivalent to those of colleges and universities. Questions about the qualifications of international students should be directed to the Graduate School.

B3. English proficiency requirements

The Graduate School requires each applicant whose native language is not English to demonstrate competence in the English language by achieving a satisfactory score (defined below) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTE). The test date should be no older than eighteen months from the application deadline.

Please note that any non-native English speakers, whether a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or international student, interested in a Graduate Teaching Assistantship must meet the speaking requirements as specified in Chapter 1, Section F.

Score Requirements:

* ETS no longer offers the Paper Based Test. Current valid Paper Based Tests completed within the last two years will be accepted.

An applicant who has received a degree in the last two years from a United States college or university is exempt from this requirement. Individual programs may have more stringent requirements for demonstration of English language proficiency.

Graduate Programs may use MyBest™ Score or the most recent iBT TOEFL in assessing language proficiency for admissions of international students. Programs must determine which score to use and apply it consistently for all applicants.

B4. Graduate Pathway Program

Kansas State University has been approved to offer the Graduate Pathway Program for students who need to complete one or two Intensive Language courses but are otherwise eligible to be admitted to a graduate program. The Pathways Program is a one semester program and a specific Pathways I-20 is issued to eligible applicants. Specific requirements of the Pathways Program include the following:

1. Admission to a graduate degree program for fall or spring semester only.
2. Part score ranges on English tests in one or two areas (see below) for entry into the Pathway program. Students would have to have at least one passing score (For example, a reading score of 20 on the IBT TOEFL test) to qualify for the Pathway program. Students with three weak areas (non-passing part scores) would be directed to the Full-time Intensive English Program.
   
   

   Part Score Ranges for Graduate Pathway Program Eligibility

   	Writing	Reading	Listening
   IBT TOEFL	16-19	16-19	16-19
   IELTS	6	6	6
   PTE	46-57

3. Enrollment in 1 or 2 of the 3 graduate support courses (below), students having three weak areas would be directed to the Full-time Intensive English Program.
   1. DAS 176 Advanced Reading Skills (3 crs.)
   2. DAS 177 Advanced Writing Skills (3 crs.)
   3. DAS 178 Advanced Listening Skills (3 crs.)
   4. Enrollments in one to two formal graduate classes excluding research hours depending on the number of DAS courses. The graduate course(s) must be scheduled around the DAS courses. These formal courses will be predetermined by the graduate program at the time of admissions to the Pathways Program.
   5. Students must enroll in 9 credit hours even if on a graduate assistantship as a requirement for issuing an I-20 for the Pathways Program.
4. Completion of the Pathway Program is based on completion of all classes, English and academic, with grades A or B. Students who do not demonstrate this may be permitted to continue on the Pathway I-20 for a second semester.
5. Once a student has completed the Pathway Program, the International Students and Scholars Office will issue the academic I-20.

C. Admission Categories

Any student pursuing graduate studies at Kansas State University will be classified into one of the following categories:

• Degree seeking (master, doctoral, education specialist)
• Special (accelerated program)
• Credential seeking (graduate certificate or licensure preparedness)
• Visiting (non-degree seeking)

C1. A degree seeking student admitted into a master, doctoral, or education specialist program can be admitted into one of the four types listed below if they fulfill the admission criteria listed under each type.

a. Full standing

• Undergraduate training essentially the same as that at Kansas State University.
• B average or higher in junior and senior years.

b. Provisional

• Transcript evaluation uncertain, as is sometimes the case with international students.
• B average or higher in junior and senior years, but some course deficiencies in undergraduate work.
• Final transcripts indicating award of a degree not yet in hand; applicant completing degree; other criteria for full standing met.

c. Probationary

• Grade point average from 2.65 to 2.99 (A=4.00) in last two years

If work has shown a marked improvement in later semesters and there are grades of B or better in demanding courses in major and related areas, admission is considered.

• Grade point average below 2.65 in last two years

Admission is considered only upon documentation that the student is now qualified to do graduate work. Evidence may include: (1) satisfactory grades on a GRE Advanced Test or Miller Analogies Test; (2) satisfactory work at another graduate school; or (3) outstanding professional experience that demonstrates the ability to handle academic work in the major area.

Probationary and provisional students are advised of deficiencies and of other conditions to be met to achieve full standing. Their status is reviewed after completing 9 hours of course work at Kansas State University. Those who have earned grades of B or higher and GPAs of 3.0 or higher for the first 9 hours, exclusive of individualized study, and removed all deficiencies specified at the time of admission, will be placed in good standing.

d. Special student (accelerated program)

Students applying for an accelerated Bachelor-Master program are not required to have completed their bachelor degree prior to pursuing the master program. The Special students will be admitted into an accelerated graduate program after fulfilling the admission criteria for the accelerated program. See Chapter 2, section K3.

After admission into the Accelerated program, these students can enroll in up to 9 graduate credits that can be taken over one or more semesters. These credits will count towards both bachelor and master degrees that form the accelerated program.

C2. Credential-seeking student (graduate certificate or licensure preparedness)

Students who have a bachelor's degree but do not plan to work for an advanced master, doctoral, or educational specialist degree can apply for a graduate certificate or licensing preparedness program. Credential seeking students are required to meet the same academic standards as other graduate students. Credential seeking students who later wish to work for an advanced master, doctoral, or educational specialist degree must make a formal application for admission into the degree program and be formally admitted by the Graduate School as degree seeking students with full standing status.

C3. Visiting (non-degree seeking) student

Students who have a bachelor’s degree but do not plan to work for an advanced degree may be admitted to graduate study as visiting students. Visiting students can enroll in one semester and take up to three (3) graduate courses that semester. If the visiting student wishes to continue and earn a graduate degree, they must make a formal application for admission into a degree program and be formally admitted by the Graduate School as a degree seeking student with full standing status. Up to nine (9) graduate credit hours earned as a visiting student may be applied toward the graduate degree.

D. Registration and Enrollment

Students who have been admitted to the Graduate School must register and pay their fees during the regular registration periods. Changes in enrollment must be approved by an advisor and the Dean of the Graduate School.

All graduate students who have matriculated at Kansas State University and are using faculty time or University facilities for research or other academic pursuits must be enrolled. Enrollment is defined as at least one credit hour and should reflect, as accurately as possible, the demands made on faculty time and the use made of University facilities. Further, a graduate degree candidate must be enrolled during the semester in which the degree requirements are completed.

E. Annual Progress Reviews

Graduate programs at Kansas State University must have a policy for the annual review of progress toward degree completion for all graduate students. Each graduate program will establish its specific process for conducting and documenting student reviews. Reviews should facilitate timely degree completion and allow graduate programs to monitor how well student progress meets program expectations. Programs are encouraged to incorporate multiple data sources for evaluation of graduate student progress. At a minimum, programs should include the following components in the review process: a self-assessment by the student, input from or assessment by the advisor, and an opportunity for the student to discuss progress toward degree completion with the student’s advisor or other appropriate program representative. Other sources of information about student progress may include input from or assessment by classroom instructors, teaching mentors, lab supervisors, and thesis or dissertation committee members. A cumulative record of each student’s annual review shall be kept in the student’s academic file in the graduate program.

F. Academic Accommodation and Leave for Pregnant and Parenting Graduate Students

Kansas State University treats pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, and termination of pregnancy as a justification for an academic leave of absence for so long a period as is deemed medically necessary by the student’s physician. At the conclusion of that student’s leave, the student is reinstated to the status she held when that leave began. It is the student’s decision whether to take any or all of the leave as recommended by the student’s physician.

Without limiting the foregoing, the university also offers any graduate student parenting a newborn child(ren) or child(ren) otherwise placed with a student for adoption or foster care, up to six-week parental leave academic accommodation. This accommodation begins the day of the date of birth, or initial placement related to adoption, or guardianship event. This accommodation means that academic responsibilities associated with the student’s graduate program are suspended, in whole or part as requested by the parenting student, during the leave. This six-week accommodation shall run concurrently with any academic leave of absence that is medically necessary and taken as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, and/or termination of pregnancy, as described above. Upon notice and request to the Graduate School, additional leave time may be approved in the event of an illness or disability.

A student requesting an academic leave of absence for these reasons is encouraged to fill out and submit the Graduate Student Parental Leave Academic and/or Employment Accommodation Application, four months prior to the anticipated delivery date or placement date if the child(ren) is to be welcomed through adoption or foster care, or as soon as possible if four months’ notice is not possible under the circumstances. Students also are encouraged to contact their Major Professor and Department Head or Graduate Program Director in advance of the leave to discuss a plan that allows the student to be reinstated to the academic status s/he held before the leave began. For example, a student may want to discuss in advance of the leave how to submit academic assignments or arrange to complete participation or attendance credits following a leave of absence. Should the leave period affect the ability of the student to complete the course requirements by the semester end date, for administrative purposes, the university may assign an incomplete (I) for the course until the course requirements are completed.

F1. Employment Accommodation and Leave for Pregnant and Parenting Graduate Students

For those students that also have an employment appointment of at least .5 FTE appointment with the university (GTA, GRA, or GAs), the university also permits leaves of absence for pregnant and parenting students from that employment, as follows.

Generally, the university treats pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy and recovery therefrom as a justification for a leave of absence from employment for a reasonable period of time, at the conclusion of which the employee shall be reinstated to the status which she held when the leave began or to a comparable position, without decrease in rate of compensation or loss of promotional opportunities, or any other right or privilege of employment.

Without limiting the foregoing, the university also offers any graduate student who is a GTA, GRA or GA and is parenting a newborn child(ren) or child(ren) otherwise placed with a student for adoption or foster care, up to six-week parental leave employment accommodation. This accommodation begins the day of the date of birth, or initial placement related to adoption, or guardianship event. This accommodation means that employment responsibilities are suspended during the leave; provided however, at the request of the student, the student and Major Professor and Department Head or Graduate Program Director, as applicable, may agree to suspend only some of the employment responsibilities or permit the leave to be on an intermittent basis, so long as the total leave period does not exceed six weeks. This six-week accommodation shall run concurrently with any employment leave of absence that is medically necessary and taken as a result of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, as described above. Upon notice and request to the Graduate School, additional leave time may be approved in the event of an illness or disability.

Should both parents be eligible for this parental leave employment accommodation, it may not be possible for the parents to take concurrent leave, depending on the department or program. It may be possible to be approved for sequential leave of each parent.

A student requesting a leave of absence for these reasons is encouraged to fill out and submit the Graduate Student Parental Leave Academic and/or Employment Accommodation Application four months prior to the anticipated delivery date or placement date if the child(ren) is to be welcomed through adoption or foster care, or as soon as possible if four months’ notice is not possible under the circumstances. Students also are encouraged to contact their Major Professor and Department Head/Supervisor or Graduate Program Director to discuss in advance of the leave a plan that allows the student to be reinstated to the status that s/he held when the leave began, or to a comparable position.

Additionally, and without limiting the foregoing, any student who is (1) parenting a newborn child or child otherwise placed with a student for adoption or foster care, (2) is the primary caregiver to that child, (3) who provides the university with notice of a leave of absence from such paid employment position on the Graduate Student Parental Leave Academic and/or Employment Accommodation Application and indicates on that Application that they want to receive funding/paid leave, and (4) who is making satisfactory progress toward completion of their degree, may request to remain fully funded during their parental leave employment accommodation. If the student is eligible for the funding, the student will be paid during their leave by continuing to receive the same amount of their stipend for up to six weeks during the leave period, as if the student was continuing to work at the level of their appointment. No funding shall exceed six weeks of stipend pay or extend beyond the end date of the student’s current paid employment appointment time period, whichever comes first.

Should both parents be eligible for this funding under the immediately preceding paragraph, the funding must only be provided to the eligible student who is on such leave, and the parents are limited to a combined total of six weeks of funding.

F2. Departmental/Employing Unit Application for Work-Life Grant/Instructions for Graduate Programs Related to Funding

If a graduate assistant is on a grant or fellowship that allows him or her to receive stipends during the parental leave period, up to six weeks, then he or she will continue to be paid from this source. If the funding source does not allow stipends to continue, if a sponsored project will suffer problematic delays due to the student’s circumstances, or the department has no option to cover a student’s teaching responsibilities other than to hire an additional part-time graduate assistant, then the employing unit can apply for a Work-Life Grant from the Graduate School and the College Dean, if the employing unit is an academic unit.

The Graduate School, in partnership with the College Deans and the Provost, has established a Work-Life Grant Program to provide temporary financial assistance to academic departments and programs that are otherwise unable to pay for temporary replacements in order to continue essential duties while a graduate assistant is on parental leave or modified work duties for parental leave

Academic Units may request financial assistance equivalent to the graduate assistantship stipend for up to six weeks. The Graduate School will provide an amount equivalent to one third of the (up to) six-week stipend, the College Dean will provide an amount equal to one-third of the (up to) six-week stipend, and the academic unit or program will contribute the final one-third equivalent of the stipend. Non-academic units will provide an amount equivalent to two third of the (up to) six-week stipend and the Graduate School will provide an amount equivalent to one third (up to) six-week stipend.

The Academic/Employing Units may use these funds in a variety of ways to ensure the teaching and research responsibilities are not adversely impacted, and so the graduate student will receive financial support while on parental leave or modified duties related to parental leave. In the case that parental leave is taken by a graduate assistant who receives a stipend and tuition from a sponsored research project, and a department needs funding to support a temporary replacement, the Graduate School will provide these funds only if the external funding source disallows payment to a graduate assistant who reduces their assistantship time commitment and only for the stipend amount.

Graduate programs or non-academic units employing the graduate assistant that wish to apply for the Work-Life Grant should do so at the earliest possible date to be sure funding is available in the fiscal year. The Work-Life Grant will be awarded, as funds are available.

F3. Interpretation

Nothing in this Policy shall be construed to entitle a graduate student to a new or subsequent appointment or to readmission into or continuation in an academic program for a student who is otherwise not qualified.

Nothing in this Policy is intended to conflict with any applicable FMLA rights. Any employee eligible for FMLA leave may seek leave to the extent permitted by that law, as set forth in the university PPM. Please contact Human Resources Benefits with any questions about FMLA leave.

G. Graduate Assistants

G1. Definitions

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): A GTA performs duties that support the teaching mission of K-State and the student’s educational goals. These duties might include classroom or laboratory teaching, proctoring exams, grading exams, papers or other assignments, preparing instructional materials or other general assistance in the instructional process. The GTA’s teaching assignment will necessarily vary between academic units and with the student’s FTE appointment, but should not exceed an average of 20 student contact hours per week throughout the semester for a 0.5 FTE appointment. GTA appointments and compensation must be consistent with Chapter 4845 of the Kansas State University Policy and Procedures Manual.

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA): A GRA performs duties that support the research mission of K-State and the student’s educational goals. Research duties vary, but are supervised by graduate faculty. The research project that the students’ activities support may be part of their thesis or dissertation. GRA appointments and compensation must be consistent with Chapter 4835 of the Kansas State University Policy and Procedures Manual.

Graduate Assistant (GA): A GA performs duties that directly or indirectly contribute to a graduate student’s educational success. These duties vary, but generally involve administrative services that can include gathering, organizing and analyzing information, providing student services, performing administrative tasks to support a program or organizational unit or performing routine research support activities. Since the duties of most GAs are performed in a structured environment, the GA may be required to appear at specific times and coordinate their activities with the employing unit. Support of GAs may depend on the number of hours spent on their duties and will require these hours to be reported, or may be based upon a specified FTE commitment and require flexibility in the hours spent on their duties, but must be consistent with Chapter 4720 of the Kansas State University Policy and Procedures Manual. Any graduate assistantship that is not a GRA or GTA as defined above is a GA.

G2. Awarding

The principal objective of a graduate student is to pursue a concerted program of study that will normally lead to an advanced degree in the chosen academic discipline. To assist students to pursue their studies full-time, the University makes available financial assistance through a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships (GTA), graduate research assistantships (GRA) and graduate assistantships (GA). These assistantship appointments carry with them a service requirement, typically directed at improving professional skills in their academic fields. Award of an assistantship is based on the student's ability and promise and is usually made for either nine or twelve months. The maximum appointment is 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE), but appointments for lesser fractions may be made. Continuation of appointments is subject to academic performance and the availability of funds. Information on applying for graduate assistantships may be obtained from the department concerned.

Students holding GTA, GRA, or GA appointments from September 1 through November 17 receive tuition benefits for the fall term, and students holding GTA, GRA, or GA appointments from February 1 through April 17 receive tuition benefits for the spring term. If a graduate appointment does not begin by these dates or terminates before these ending dates, all tuition benefits will be lost. The student then is responsible for the total tuition payment.

GTAs, GRAs, and GAs on 0.5 FTE appointments are eligible to participate in the Kansas Board of Regents GTA/GRA/GA health insurance plan. Information about enrollment in the health insurance plan is available from Human Resources.

G3. Enrollment

Fall and Spring Appointments.
The maximum number of credit hours in which a graduate student employed on an assistantship can enroll is 12 hours for the fall and spring semesters and 9 hours during the summer. Students desiring to enroll in hours exceeding the maximum number permitted should be in good academic standing and obtain permission from their advisor and forward the permission to the Graduate School for final approval. To fulfill the obligation that students pursue studies full-time, graduate assistants must be enrolled in at least 6 hours during fall and spring semesters.

Summer Appointments.
The Graduate School does not require that graduate students be enrolled during the summer. Individual departments may require minimum enrollment in any term. Information pertaining to minimum enrollment during the summer may be obtained from the department concerned. Graduate students on full-time summer GRA/GTA/GA appointment (0.5 FTE) and enrolled in fewer than 3 hours (or not enrolled) will be required to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. Hours taken during May and August intersession are counted in the total number of hours for the summer term. To be eligible for a GTA tuition waiver in the summer, the student must be enrolled in at least 3 hours.

Last Semester Enrollment.
Graduate students are required to enroll in at least six hours to be employed on a graduate assistant position each fall and spring semester. This includes Graduate Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant and Graduate Assistant positions/appointments. However, an exception can be made by the Graduate School during their last semester to allow them to enroll in less than the six-hour requirement and be assessed resident tuition based on their employment status.

During their final semester, graduate students may be employed on a graduate student appointment (GRA, GTA or GA) and enroll in less than six hours if the appointment ends by November 17 (fall semester) or April 17 (spring semester). The number of hours enrolled determines the length of employment on a graduate appointment during the final semester as noted in the table below.

Hours Enrolled	Fall Appointment Ends By	Spring Appointment Ends By
5	November 17	April 17
4	October 31	March 30
3	October 15	March 13
2	September 30	February 28/29
1	September 14	February 14

In order to have tuition assessed at the resident rate while enrolled in less than six hours for the semester, the following conditions must be met: (1) this is their last semester, (2) they will complete all degree requirements by the deadline (https://www.k-state.edu/grad/student-success/graduation/checklists.html) specified by the Graduate School and (3) they will graduate. The form must be signed by the student, major professor and department head. If the student does not complete degree requirements and graduate as stated on the form, they will be reassessed at the non-resident rate and will have to pay that amount following the semester for which the waiver was granted.

Students Terminated Prior to Final Semester
Graduate students who are classified as non-resident for tuition purposes receive a waiver of non-resident charges while they are on appointment (GRA, GTA or GA) and maintain enrollment of 6 credit hours fall and spring semesters. If the assistantship is terminated prior to the beginning of the final semester, the non-resident waiver is no longer applied to the student's account. However, the student may be eligible for a waiver of the nonresident charge for one semester after the end of their appointment if they complete all degree requirements and graduate at the end of the semester
immediately after their appointment is terminated (GRA, GTA or GA).

In order to get this one semester extension of the waiver of non-resident tuition, the student must complete and sign a form stating that, 1) they were terminated immediately prior to their final semester and, 2) will complete degree requirements the next semester. The form must be signed by the student, major professor and department head. If the student does not complete degree requirements and graduate as stated on the form, they will be reassessed at the non-resident rate and will have to pay that amount following the semester for which the waiver extension was granted.

G4. Tuition Remission

Tuition responsibilities for graduate students depend on the nature of the appointments. Students holding a 0.4 FTE appointments as a GRA/GTA/GA, or any combination of these, are assessed tuition at the resident rates according to an established schedule.

Graduate students appointed as GTAs are eligible for tuition waivers. Graduate students appointed on full-time GTA appointments (0.5 FTE) receive tuition waivers for a maximum of 10 hours in the fall and spring semesters and 6 hours in the summer semester. Hours taken during January intersession are counted in the total number of hours for the tuition waiver paid in the spring semester. Hours taken during May and August intersessions are counted in the total number of hours for the tuition waiver paid in the summer semester. GTAs appointed less than 0.5 FTE are eligible to receive partial tuition waivers based on the proportion of the teaching appointments.
*See table for a Schedule of Tuition Remission

Schedule of Tuition Remission

Fall & Spring		Summer
.10 FTE GTA	20% tuition waiver (2 hours)	.05 FTE GTA	10% tuition waiver (1 hour)
.15 FTE GTA	30% tuition waiver (3 hours)	.10 FTE GTA	20% tuition waiver (2 hours)
.20 FTE GTA	40% tuition waiver (4 hours)	.15 FTE GTA	20% tuition waiver (2 hours)
.25 FTE GTA	50% tuition waiver (5 hours)	.20 FTE GTA	30% tuition waiver (3 hours)
.30 FTE GTA	60% tuition waiver (6 hours)	.25 FTE GTA	30% tuition waiver (3 hours)
.35 FTE GTA	70% tuition waiver (7 hours)	.30 FTE GTA	40% tuition waiver (4 hours)
.40 FTE GTA	80% tuition waiver (8 hours)	.35 FTE GTA	50% tuition waiver (5 hours)
.45 FTE GTA	90% tuition waiver (9 hours)	.40 FTE GTA	50% tuition waiver (5 hours)
.50 FTE GTA	100% tuition waiver (10 hours) (maximum)	.45 FTE GTA	60% tuition waiver (6 hours)
		.50 FTE GTA	60% tuition waiver (6 hours)

In all cases, the student will be responsible for paying the remainder of the tuition at the resident rate. GTA tuition waivers are provided for tuition benefits only; students will be responsible for the Student Services Fee (student health, activity fees, etc).

G5. English Proficiency

The Kansas Board of Regents requires all prospective GTAs who are non-native speakers of English to achieve a:

minimum score of 50 on the TSE (Test of Spoken English)
OR
minimum score of 50 on the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK)
OR
minimum score of 22 on the speak section of the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)

OR
minimum score of 7 in the speak portion of the IELTS test.

G6. Disputes

Disputes concerning graduate assistants (GTA/GRA/GA) are employment matters that should be originated with the appointing department and be addressed through normal supervisory channels. A student should begin addressing the concern with the assigned supervisor of the assistantship and, if necessary, proceed to the department or unit head. If the matter is not resolved at the department or unit level, the student may present it to the Dean of the College in which the (GTA/GRA/GA) is employed. Formal grievance procedures do not apply to these appointments.

Individuals should contact Affirmative Action or Student Support and Accountability regarding employment disputes believed to constitute discrimination or harassment, as defined in the "Policy and Procedure for Discrimination and Harassment Complaints" section of the University Handbook.

H. Graduate Study by Seniors and Undergraduate Special Students

Seniors at Kansas State University who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on prior undergraduate work and are within two semesters of receiving a bachelor's degree may take up to 9 hours for graduate credit in courses numbered in the 500, 600, and 700 sequences.

Enrollment in courses at the 800 level and above is normally restricted to students admitted to the Graduate School. In exceptional circumstances, highly qualified students may enroll in courses numbered 800 and above after obtaining permission from the instructor of the course, the head of the department offering the course, and the Graduate Dean.

Those wishing to take more than 9 semester hours must apply for admission to, and be accepted by, the Graduate School. Following the award of a bachelor's degree, courses taken for undergraduate credit may not be changed to graduate credit.

A student enrolled as an undergraduate special student may not take courses for graduate credit.

I. Graduate Work by Faculty and Staff

Full-time faculty and staff, with the approval of their department heads or deans, may enroll in graduate or undergraduate work not to exceed 6 credit hours in a regular semester or 3 credit hours during the summer session.

Full-time faculty and staff of the University may audit classes without cost if they have permission of their deans and the deans of the colleges in which the courses are offered.

Kansas State University does not permit the awarding of advanced degrees to its faculty who hold the rank of assistant professor or higher within their own departments or as requirements for promotion or tenure. ROTC personnel are excluded from this policy.